News archive

News archive - November-2016

Recent Producer Price Index data shows that food products (producer) inflation fell to 11.1% year-on-year (y/y) in December 2016.This signals a slight easing of price pressures that could be passed on to the consumer and be reflected in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) data.- Wandile Sihlobo

More rains are expected to fall in South Africa over the next week. This could potentially improve soil moisture and dam levels, and in turn, benefit summer crops. Wandile Sihlobo, Head, Economic & Agribusiness Intelligence division at Agbiz joins CNBC Africa for more.

Recent agricultural machinery sales data indicates that in December 2016, tractor sales were up by 28% when compared to December 2015 — with 349 units sold. However, this was 23% lower than the previous month’s sales. Meanwhile, combine harvester sales were at the same level as for December 2015 – with only 7 units sold.

Grains would lead the recovery in agriculture, said Wandile Sihlobo from Agbiz. Overall, the area planted for grains is estimated at 15% more than the previous year, which should boost production by between 20% and 30%.- www.fin24.com

Agricultural economist, Wandile Sihlobo, says it seems like 2017 will be a better agricultural year compared to last year. He says summer season rains have a had a good impact on crops, and food inflation is likely to go down from April going on to the third quarter of this year.www.702.co.za